{"id":120524,"date":"2026-02-24T14:35:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T14:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/uwiduhaye-aims-for-best-climber-jersey-in-stage-three"},"modified":"2026-02-24T14:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T14:53:07","slug":"uwiduhaye-aims-for-best-climber-jersey-in-stage-three","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/uwiduhaye-aims-for-best-climber-jersey-in-stage-three","title":{"rendered":"Uwiduhaye Aims for Best Climber Jersey in Stage Three"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Tuesday, February 24<\/p>\n

Stage 3: Huye \u2013 Rusizi (145 km)<\/p>\n

Benediction BanAfrica Team rider Mike Uwiduhaye has set his sights on the King of the Mountains (Best Climber) jersey as Tour du Rwanda 2026 heads into its toughest terrain yet in Stage Three.<\/p>\n

The 145-km stage, which stretches from Huye to Rusizi with a punishing elevation gain of 3,107 metres, marks a shift from the sprint-friendly opening stages to a climbers\u2019 battleground.<\/p>\n

BPR Bank Rwanda is the race\u2019s main financial partner, the sponsor of the Best Rwandan Rider jersey.<\/p>\n

Uwiduhaye enters the mountainous leg with confidence after stepping onto the podium in both previous stages to receive the Best Rwandan Rider jersey, sponsored by BPR Bank, the race\u2019s main financial partner.<\/p>\n

Although he is yet to claim a stage win, the 24-year-old insists his ambitions remain firmly intact.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was not surprised to return to the podium to represent my country,\u201d Uwiduhaye said after Stage Two. \u201cAlthough we have not yet achieved our goal of winning a stage, my focus now shifts to this next stage. I believe I am among the best climbers, and I want to prove that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently sitting 10th in the general classification \u2014 despite slipping three places after Stage Two \u2014 Uwiduhaye remains the top-ranked Rwandan rider in the race.<\/p>\n

He is also familiar with the Huye\u2013Rusizi route. In 2025, he tackled the same stretch in reverse, racing from Rusizi to Huye while representing Team Rwanda in Stage Six, finishing 6 minutes and 31 seconds behind stage winner Duarte Marivoet.<\/p>\n

Armed with experience and renewed confidence, Uwiduhaye will be hoping the sustained climbs and high-altitude terrain play to his strengths as he chases mountain points \u2014 and possibly a breakthrough stage victory.<\/p>\n

For customers with specific financial goals, the Goal Savings Account offers an annual interest rate of up to 8 per cent.<\/p>\n

Throughout the race, the bank is also engaging communities on how to easily open accounts at its 73 branches nationwide.<\/p>\n

BPR Bank Rwanda is the race\u2019s main financial partner, the sponsor of the Best Rwandan Rider jersey.<\/p>\n

BPR Bank offers a wide range of services, including tailored account options for different customer segments, loans<\/p>\n\r\n